I like this guy a lot. But will he be sent down?

Gonna be hard to send him down if he keeps doing this.

 

But it's unlikely that he'll keep doing this.

I would love it if he would keep this up. What is more likely though, Santana or Escobar continuing with how they are playing now. I would say Santana, but I very well could be wrong.

As long as he keeps hitting and playing average defense, he's here to stay. I don't know that he'll be able to do both for an entire season, but I'd love to be proven wrong. I'm rooting for him, he's a blast to watch.

Gonna be hard to send him down if he keeps doing this.

 

But it's unlikely that he'll keep doing this.

 

Pretty much this. Based on what he's done in the minors so far, I have a tough time believing he's ready and that this is probably a good case of SSS more than anything. That said, nothing wrong with enjoying it.

Pretty much this. Based on what he's done in the minors so far, I have a tough time believing he's ready and that this is probably a good case of SSS more than anything. That said, nothing wrong with enjoying it.

 

Agreed. I recall Dozier having a solid MLB debut in 2012, before he had established himself at AAA. Hopefully Santana can keep going for awhile, and hopefully the Twins aren't afraid to send him back quickly before things turn too sour (and hopefully we still have options to replace him!).

My favorite part about Santana is his speed. He looks fast out there. Zoom! Reminds me of Ben Revere in that category.

The kid just keeps hitting. It will be interesting to see what happens as the league develops a book on him and starts throwing stuff he doesn't expect to see.

It won't be too long until his batting average dips under .220, but he's really exciting. His speed is fantastic and I hope he doesn't get injured (an injury that would sap his speed, that is. Like Mastoianni). Might as well keep starting him while he's hot.

My favorite part about Santana is his speed. He looks fast out there. Zoom! Reminds me of Ben Revere in that category.

thats what i like is his speed.

My favorite part about Santana is his speed. He looks fast out there. Zoom! Reminds me of Ben Revere in that category.

No doubt. Santana reminds me of a harder hitting, harder throwing version of Ben Revere.

I don't have any grand expectations with the bat but the bat can be solid and the defense can be good. The Twins shouldn't shy away from an upgrade in the future if available but might be able to at least hold down the fort.

 

My expectations of his hitting. .265/.305/.365/.670 I can live with that at SS as long as it comes with his supposedly good defense.

Could he be short term answer at CF? Until Buxton is ready?

 

 

 

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino

 

Danny Santana is going to work more in center during BP today. Gardy says he could be an option if Hicks continues to struggle.

Agreed. I recall Dozier having a solid MLB debut in 2012, before he had established himself at AAA. Hopefully Santana can keep going for awhile, and hopefully the Twins aren't afraid to send him back quickly before things turn too sour (and hopefully we still have options to replace him!).

 

That and his quick glove tag I saw. I'd buy a ticket to see him play!

As long as he keeps hitting and playing average defense, he's here to stay. I don't know that he'll be able to do both for an entire season, but I'd love to be proven wrong. I'm rooting for him, he's a blast to watch.

 

I don't consider yesterday's game to be average defense at all. How was he not charged with an error that led to the blast from Miggy (Gibson had to make 5 outs in the inning).

 

If his future is at SS--which I doubt--then send him back down to learn defense. If his future is to be the Punto of this team (utility) then maybe keep him up until AL pitchers figure out how to get him out.

I'm starting to believe that if Santana has any type of instincts in center, I'd put him there and ride with Esocobar at short. My patience with Aaron Hicks is nearly "E" for empty.

he's a blast to watch.

 

If the team isn't going to be competitive, they might as well have someone fun to watch. Dozier is fun to watch; Santana makes two.

The Twins put Santana at AAA because he makes lots of errors at shortstop and they wanted him to make fewer errors and be more consistent. So, they bring him up and Gardenhire says he's going to have him playing multiple positions. Why? So, he can never master any of them? Why not let him become what they really need, which is a polished shortstop with offensive ability? And, if he isn't ready to do that at the major league level, he should be doing it in AAA.

When Santana was called up, it was as a stopgap. At the time, he was healthy and on the 40-man. Since he arrived, he has hit well and fielded acceptably. He given us a glimpse of his two best tools--exceptional speed and a rocket arm. He's earned a longer stay (probably until he cools off hitting-wise) but Escobar has also been one of the Twins best hitters in the past ten days. Gardy is keeping a hot bat in the lineup most days and he's worked in BP at playing center. As I said earlier, right now I'd play Danny in center and send Hicks to AAA.

I like this guy a lot. But will he be sent down?

I think he is one of the most exciting Twins in the entire organization and I really hope he can make himself valuable enough to keep. I will add Deduno to that list. Here is another question for everyone: Are the Twins gearing up to try Santana in center field on a regular basis?

Edited May 11, 201412 yr by bear333
spelling

I like that. Give Santana a shot a center, why not? I feel Hicks needs to stay down for the rest of the season. They can give him another look next spring.

Exactly!

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who sees it that way.

In the Twins' system, they have Hicks and Fuld. Currently Fuld is on the concussion DL and Hicks is hitting a buck-seventy. If he can play a non-embarrassing center field, I would play him there on Tuesday.

Didn't we see what can happen when you put a career middle infielder in the outfield in a big league game just the other day?

 

I've heard a lot of bad ideas on this forum but Santana in center is probably the worst one yet.

 

Why would anyone want to screw with a kid's head like that? What possible good could come from such insane mismanagement?

I feel Hicks needs to stay down for the rest of the season. They can give him another look next spring.

 

I'd put even money on you saying the exact same thing about Santana by June. Let's not get ahead of ourselves over 30 plate appearances.

He and Nunez need to stay for good. Trade Florimon

When Fuld comes off the DL, maybe you option Hicks at that point and hope he can find his swing in AAA. But Santana in center is not an option. I was surprised Steiny made that move. It worked this time, it will not work most of the time. For that reason, I doubt Gardy would have done it had he not been ejected.

The window of opportunity is only so big in professional sports, so I'm not against players learning another position in order to play in the MLB. However, there are a few problems.

 

First of all, losing Morneau was not insignificant. Mauer and Colabello have been a bit shaky over there. The Twins lost Florimon's defense because he couldn't hit. Secondly, there's way too much experimentation with the Twins this year. First it's Bartlett, then Escobar and Santana, who else?

 

I wish some of these players would develop their skills as an outfielder or whatever position they want to play in the minor leagues before embarrassing themselves at the MLB level. I'd rather have 9 guys who are solid defenders than 9 guys who can play multiple positions, but are mediocre at most of them!

 

It really didn't bother me that Joe Mauer moved to first base due to health issues, but that's only one move. It's the fact that there's way too much experimentation going on at the MLB level and it's burning us!

 

It's not too late for a guy like Danny Santana (or any of the other younger guys in the minors for that matter) to go down to the minors and learn how to play the outfield if that's what he wants to do.

Edited May 12, 201412 yr by Reider

My favorite thing about Santana is that in about 1/4 the number of games, Santana already has triple the RBI's and triple the doubles of Florimon and an OPS about .700 higher.